Frequently Asked Questions
We are so pleased that you are interested in the amazing opportunity your child has to enroll in a Brewster Global program! You likely have a lot of questions, and we hope we answer most of them here—select a program below to see FAQs about the available options. If you would like to talk to a member of the Global Programs Office, please call 603-569-7400 or email us at global@brewsteracademy.org.
Trimester Immersion
- Who is eligible to go?
- Who runs the immersion trips? Who will be there with my child?
- Are there interpreters? Does my child need to speak Spanish to travel?
- What is the cost?
- Is there financial aid to help cover the cost of these trips?
- How much money will my child need for “extras” or incidentals not covered by the main fee?
- Where will my child live?
- How can I find out about my child's host family?
- How will my child’s medications be monitored?
- What if my child has dietary restrictions?
- How will my child keep up with their regular curriculum?
- Will my child be able to play sports?
- How can I feel confident about my child's safety?
- If there is a medical emergency, who will take care of my child?
- How often will I be kept informed of my child's schedule and activities by someone other than him/her?
- What about my child’s cell phone? Will it work there? Can I email them?
- What is the evening schedule and are there any rules guiding free time?
Who is eligible to go?
Any student in grades 10-PG who has completed at least one trimester at Brewster is eligible to apply for a trimester immersion trip. We ask that any new student attending Brewster spend their first trimester on campus to enjoy all the friendships and excitement that happen right here in Wolfeboro. Please note, the Global Initiatives Office also offers a two-week immersion trip for freshmen only to Cadiz, Spain. For more information about that trip, click here.
Who runs the immersion trips? Who will be there with my child?
Brewster’s Global Initiatives Office team runs all the trips personally. The immersion trips are not “farmed out” to travel agencies or companies that handle large student travel programs for multiple schools. Brewster-trained faculty and staff are on the immersion trips, teaching and guiding the students for the full trimester.
Are there interpreters? Does my child need to speak Spanish to travel?
What is the cost?
Is there financial aid to help cover the cost of these trips?
How much money will my child need for “extras” or incidentals not covered by the main fee?
They should have pocket money for their own expenses, like souvenirs, snacks, and toiletries they may need to buy throughout the trimester. We have also found that students need some available cash for local transportation when they have some time outside of school hours to explore, meet friends, and absorb their local surroundings.
Where will my child live?
How can I find out about my child's host family?
How will my child’s medications be monitored?
Brewster’s Health Services are in constant contact with Brewster’s on-location staff/faculty. The traveling staff are trained on the administration of these needs before departure and will have full medical records as needed for each student. The staff then coordinates medication requirements with host families for those taken outside regular school hours.
What if my child has dietary restrictions?
How will my child keep up with their regular curriculum?
During the Trimester Immersion, our students take their mainstream courses in a regular academic day in our campuses abroad with a team of international faculty who have been trained by Brewster in all aspects of our curriculum, systems, and teaching methods. They have direct access to all campus-based Brewster teachers for maintenance of standard curriculum and they have pre-approved elective curriculum based on student-based program objectives as well as culturally relevant programs. Students do not “fall behind” by taking advantage of this travel opportunity. In fact, we believe a trimester abroad actually enhances your child’s education in many ways. Not only are they exposed to a new culture, they gain leadership skills, confidence, and independence, all while forming deep bonds with their fellow Bobcats and host families.
Will my child be able to play sports?
How can I feel confident about my child's safety?
The Brewster Global Initiatives Office has a fully vetted Safety and Security Abroad Plan that you may have access to. All of our faculty are fully trained, and a standard part of any immersion trip is Health and Traveling Insurances as well as International SOS services. Our safety rules with students are very rigorous and students are also trained on safety and security before departing. In case of any emergency, students can contact the program leaders on-site. We have three to four fully trained teachers on-call 24/7 for a maximum of 15 students.
If there is a medical emergency, who will take care of my child?
How often will I be kept informed of my child's schedule and activities by someone other than him/her?
Before the departure, we distribute a Trimester Experience Handbook specifically designed for your student’s program where you will find a full, detailed calendar of all activities. Also, the on-site Program Director sends periodic reports of the program’s progress, which include trip highlights, photos, and upcoming plans. In addition, Brewster’s Communications Office publishes periodic updates on social media platforms. You can also have direct connection to the On-site Program Director and Brewster’s Global Initiatives Office if you’d like more personal feedback on your child’s experience/behavior on the trip. Finally, your connection with your students can be constant with internet apps such as Whatsapp.
What about my child’s cell phone? Will it work there? Can I email them?
American cell phones with an added international plan work perfectly. If you find this cost prohibitive based on your plan, the students have access to WIFI in host family homes and in campus facilities. They can then take advantage of apps like WhatsApp to make international calls and send texts. Local cell phones can also be purchased as desired and are recommended.
What is the evening schedule and are there any rules guiding free time?
Gap Year Program
- Who is eligible to go?
- Who coordinates the Gap Year Program?
- Do I need to speak Spanish to attend?
- Do I have to choose both winter and spring trimesters off campus to participate in the Gap Year Program?
- Will I be able to participate in an athletic component while on campus?
- What will my course of study be during my Gap Year experience?
- How is the college application process coordinated?
- What is the cost?
- Is there financial aid available?
- Where will I live?
- How will I find out about my host family?
- How will my medical needs be supported?
- What if I have any dietary restrictions?
- What is the emergency medical protocol?
- Can I bring my own cell phone?
- What are evening schedules like and are there any rules guiding free time?
- Next steps - how do I apply?
Who is eligible to go?
Who coordinates the Gap Year Program?
Brewster’s Global Initiatives Office team runs all trimester programs at Brewster. They are not “farmed out” to travel agencies or companies that handle large student travel programs for multiple schools. Brewster-trained faculty run all programs, teaching and guiding the students for the full trimester.
Do I need to speak Spanish to attend?
Do I have to choose both winter and spring trimesters off campus to participate in the Gap Year Program?
Will I be able to participate in an athletic component while on campus?
What will my course of study be during my Gap Year experience?
How is the college application process coordinated?
What is the cost?
Tuition covers the cost of the trimester programs including housing with a host family, academic excursions to other cities, group activities, meals, and all transportation other than airfare. You should have some pocket money for your own expenses, like souvenirs, snacks, and toiletries you may need to buy throughout the trimester. We have also found that students need some available cash for local transportation when you have some time outside of school hours to explore, meet friends, and absorb the local surroundings.
Is there financial aid available?
Where will I live?
How will I find out about my host family?
How will my medical needs be supported?
Brewster’s Health Services are in constant contact with staff/faculty on location. The traveling staff are trained on the administration of these needs before departure and will have full medical records as needed for each student. The staff coordinates any medication requirements with host families for those taken outside regular school hours.
What if I have any dietary restrictions?
What is the emergency medical protocol?
Can I bring my own cell phone?
American cell phones with an added international plan work perfectly. If you find this cost prohibitive based on your plan, you will have access to WIFI in host family homes and in campus facilities. You can also take advantage of apps like WhatsApp to make international calls and send texts. Local cell phones can also be purchased as desired and are recommended.
What are evening schedules like and are there any rules guiding free time?
Next steps - how do I apply?
You will need to complete the Gap Year Applicant Supplement along with the regular application materials to Brewster Academy. Learn about application requirements at brewsteracademy.org/apply. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Office of Admission at admissions@brewsteracademy.org or 603-569-7200.
Freshman Experience
- Who is eligible to go?
- Who runs the immersion trips? Who will be there with my child?
- Are there interpreters? Does my child need to speak Spanish to travel?
- What is the cost?
- Is there financial aid to help cover the cost of these trips?
- How much money will my child need for “extras” or incidentals not covered by the main fee?
- Where will my child live?
- How can I find out about my child's host family?
- How will my child’s medications be monitored?
- What if my child has dietary restrictions?
- How will my child keep up with their regular curriculum?
- Will my child be able to play sports?
- How can I feel confident about my child's safety?
- If there is a medical emergency, who will take care of my child?
- How often will I be kept informed of my child's schedule and activities by someone other than him/her?
- What about my child’s cell phone? Will it work there? Can I email them?
- What is the evening schedule and are there any rules guiding free time?
Who is eligible to go?
This experience is offered to all freshman and is designed to provide a sample of what trimesters abroad are all about. Learn more here.
Who runs the immersion trips? Who will be there with my child?
Brewster’s Global Initiatives Office team runs all the trips personally. The Cadiz trip is chaperoned by Brewster staff, primarily composed of teachers from the freshman team. Brewster does not use any outside agencies in planning trips abroad.
Are there interpreters? Does my child need to speak Spanish to travel?
What is the cost?
Is there financial aid to help cover the cost of these trips?
How much money will my child need for “extras” or incidentals not covered by the main fee?
They should have pocket money for their own expenses, like souvenirs, snacks, and toiletries they may need to buy throughout the trimester. We have also found that students need some available cash for local transportation when they have some time outside of school hours to explore, meet friends, and absorb their local surroundings.
Where will my child live?
How can I find out about my child's host family?
How will my child’s medications be monitored?
Brewster’s Health Services are in constant contact with Brewster’s on-location staff/faculty. The traveling staff are trained on the administration of these needs before departure and will have full medical records as needed for each student. The staff then coordinates medication requirements with host families for those taken outside regular school hours.
What if my child has dietary restrictions?
How will my child keep up with their regular curriculum?
During the Trimester Immersion, our students take their mainstream courses in a regular academic day in our campuses abroad with a team of international faculty who have been trained by Brewster in all aspects of our curriculum, systems, and teaching methods. They have direct access to all campus-based Brewster teachers for maintenance of standard curriculum and they have pre-approved elective curriculum based on student-based program objectives as well as culturally relevant programs. Students do not “fall behind” by taking advantage of this travel opportunity. In fact, we believe a trimester abroad actually enhances your child’s education in many ways. Not only are they exposed to a new culture, they gain leadership skills, confidence, and independence, all while forming deep bonds with their fellow Bobcats and host families.
Will my child be able to play sports?
How can I feel confident about my child's safety?
The Brewster Global Initiatives Office has a fully vetted Safety and Security Abroad Plan that you may have access to. All of our faculty are fully trained, and a standard part of any immersion trip is Health and Traveling Insurances as well as International SOS services. Our safety rules with students are very rigorous and students are also trained on safety and security before departing. In case of any emergency, students can contact the program leaders on-site. We have three to four fully trained teachers on-call 24/7 for a maximum of 15 students.
If there is a medical emergency, who will take care of my child?
How often will I be kept informed of my child's schedule and activities by someone other than him/her?
Before the departure, we distribute a Trimester Experience Handbook specifically designed for your student’s program where you will find a full, detailed calendar of all activities. Also, the on-site Program Director sends periodic reports of the program’s progress, which include trip highlights, photos, and upcoming plans. In addition, Brewster’s Communications Office publishes periodic updates on social media platforms. You can also have direct connection to the On-site Program Director and Brewster’s Global Initiatives Office if you’d like more personal feedback on your child’s experience/behavior on the trip. Finally, your connection with your students can be constant with internet apps such as Whatsapp.
What about my child’s cell phone? Will it work there? Can I email them?
American cell phones with an added international plan work perfectly. If you find this cost prohibitive based on your plan, the students have access to WIFI in host family homes and in campus facilities. They can then take advantage of apps like WhatsApp to make international calls and send texts. Local cell phones can also be purchased as desired and are recommended.